Disability and rehabilitation
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Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem that is costly in both financial and human terms. The impact of LBP on an individual varies greatly. For some, LBP is a minor inconvenience; but for others LBP is associated with significant disability and with psychosocial dysfunction for the individual and for the family. ⋯ Once LBP has occurred, the impact of the LBP on the individual and the family is influenced by the health-beliefs and coping strategies of the individual and the family. Distress appears to be secondary to physical restriction rather than pain, but the distress may aggravate the pain and thus the disability. The paper concludes with a discussion of the impact of health practitioners on pain-related disability.
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There is no doubt that vegetative patients need the appropriate medical and nursing procedures as well as family involvement, education and counselling. Additional structured stimulation programmes are used for the treatment of coma and vegetative state. The theoretical foundation is derived from animal studies. ⋯ The studies of human sensory stimulation give more an orientation than a definitive statement. Very recently, hypotheses concerning sensory regulation have begun to be evaluated. Further investigations are required to provide a more definite conclusion.